Hudson County, New Jersey Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hudson County, New Jersey?
Arrest records in Hudson County, New Jersey are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records for inspection, examination, and duplication. The statute specifically designates arrest records as government records that must be made available for public inspection, with certain statutory exceptions.
Under OPRA, law enforcement agencies in Hudson County are required to maintain and provide access to arrest records, which document the formal taking into custody of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records serve multiple public interest functions:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating public oversight of governmental activities
- Providing information relevant to public safety concerns
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, which exempts from disclosure records that may compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or infringe upon privacy rights in specific circumstances. Juvenile arrest records are generally not public pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Hudson County?
Hudson County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The New Jersey Judiciary provides electronic access to criminal case information through its public court case information system, which includes records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges.
The primary online resources for accessing Hudson County arrest records include:
- PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal - This system contains information about criminal cases filed in Superior Court, including arrest details.
- Hudson County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system - Provides information about individuals currently in custody following arrest.
- Municipal court online portals - Offer access to arrest records for cases handled at the municipal level.
Online access to these records is governed by Administrative Directive #1-21, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to court records while balancing transparency with privacy concerns. The directive implements the Supreme Court's policy on public access to court records, ensuring that arrest information is available while protecting sensitive personal information.
Users should be aware that online records may not be comprehensive, as certain records may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Additionally, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of records accessed online.
How to Look Up Hudson County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Hudson County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
- Visit the Hudson County Criminal Records Room located at:
Hudson County Criminal Division Records Room
Hudson County Administration Building
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
Phone: 201-217-5216
Criminal Division Records
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state holidays.
- Contact the Hudson County Sheriff's Office:
Hudson County Sheriff's Office
Hudson County Plaza
257 Cornelison Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-915-1300
Hudson County Sheriff's Office
- Submit a request to the specific municipal police department where the arrest occurred. For example:
Jersey City Police Department
1 Journal Square Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201-547-5477
Jersey City Police Division
- File an OPRA request with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office:
Hudson County Prosecutor's Office
Administration Building
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201-795-6400
- Access the New Jersey State Police Criminal History Records for statewide arrest information.
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject, including full name, date of birth, and, if possible, the date and location of arrest. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), requests for records must be submitted on the agency's official OPRA request form. Agencies are required to respond to requests within seven business days.
Fees for obtaining arrest records vary by agency but typically include a $5.00 search fee plus $0.05 per page for standard copies, as permitted under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
Contents of a Hudson County Arrest Record
Hudson County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by New Jersey Administrative Code § 13:59-1.1. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Arrestee identification information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Residential address
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed at time of arrest
- Booking number and processing information
- Custody status (released on own recognizance, bail amount, detention)
Case processing information:
- Court docket or case numbers
- Scheduled court appearances
- Disposition of charges (if available)
- Warrant information, if applicable
Photographic documentation:
- Mugshot photographs (front and profile views)
- Evidence photographs, when relevant to public record
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(b), certain information related to an arrest must be made available within 24 hours or as soon as practicable. This includes information about the charges, the name of the arresting agency, and the identity of the person charged unless otherwise exempted by statute.
It should be noted that arrest records may contain redactions of certain information, such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(a) and applicable privacy protections.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Hudson County
The expungement process in Hudson County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific statutory conditions. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq., individuals may petition for expungement if they meet eligibility requirements established by New Jersey law.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records include:
- Arrests that did not lead to conviction
- Dismissals of charges
- Successful completion of diversionary programs
- Certain convictions after prescribed waiting periods
- Cannabis-related offenses eligible under recent reforms
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest occurred. For Hudson County residents, petitions must be filed at:
Hudson County Superior Court
Hudson County Administration Building
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201-795-6400
New Jersey Courts
The petition must include:
- A verified petition form
- Order for Hearing
- Expungement Order
- Cover letter to the court
- Filing fee of $75 (fee waiver available for indigent applicants)
Upon successful expungement, all records related to the arrest are removed from public access and sealed. Law enforcement agencies, including the Hudson County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, are required to remove these records from their publicly accessible databases.
It is important to note that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27, expunged records remain available to certain agencies for limited purposes, including judicial appointments, employment with law enforcement, and corrections positions.
The "Clean Slate" law (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.4), effective in 2025, provides for automatic expungement of certain eligible offenses after 10 years without subsequent convictions, reducing the need for individual petitions in qualifying cases.
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